CVE-2021-28581:Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop 3.5 and earlier versions contain an uncontrolled search path vulnerability (CWE-427) that could allow elevation of privileges when a user logs onto an attacker's local machine.

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Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop version 3.5 and earlier contains a vulnerability where the application fails to properly validate the search path used to load external resources. This uncontrolled search path vulnerability (CWE-427) could allow an attacker to place malicious files in locations that the application searches before finding legitimate resources. When successfully exploited, this vulnerability enables privilege escalation. The attack requires user interaction, specifically that a victim logs onto an attacker-controlled machine, making this a local attack vector rather than a remote one.

Overview

The vulnerability affects Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop application version 3.5 and all earlier versions. The issue stems from an uncontrolled search path implementation, where the application does not adequately validate or secure the paths it uses to load dynamic link libraries (DLLs) or other executable components. When the application runs with elevated privileges, it may load these resources from locations that are writable by non-privileged users. An attacker could exploit this by placing malicious files in these locations, which would then be executed with the elevated privileges of the Creative Cloud Desktop application. This vulnerability is classified as CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element) and requires physical access to the machine or convincing a user with higher privileges to log into an attacker-controlled system.

Remediation

Users should update to the latest version of Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop as specified in Adobe's security bulletin APSB21-31. Adobe has released patches that address this vulnerability by implementing proper validation of search paths and ensuring that the application only loads resources from trusted locations.

System administrators should also consider implementing the following additional security measures:

  1. Restrict user permissions to prevent writing to directories used in application search paths
  2. Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries
  3. Keep all Adobe products updated with the latest security patches
  4. Educate users about the risks of logging into untrusted machines

References

  1. Adobe Security Bulletin APSB21-31: https://helpx.adobe.com/security/products/creative-cloud/apsb21-31.html
  2. CWE-427: Uncontrolled Search Path Element - https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/427.html
  3. MITRE CVE-2021-28581: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-28581

Industry ExposureMost to least
This section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.

  1. Manufacturing: Medium
    Manufacturing
  2. Health Care & Social Assistance: Medium
    Health Care & Social Assistance
  3. Public Administration: Medium
    Public Administration
  4. Educational Services: Medium
    Educational Services
  5. Transportation & Warehousing: Low
    Transportation & Warehousing
  6. Retail Trade: Low
    Retail Trade
  7. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation: Low
    Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
  8. Finance and Insurance: Low
    Finance and Insurance
  9. Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services: Low
    Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  10. Management of Companies & Enterprises: Low
    Management of Companies & Enterprises
  11. Other Services (except Public Administration): Low
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  12. Utilities: Low
    Utilities
  13. Accommodation & Food Services: Low
    Accommodation & Food Services
  14. Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting: Low
    Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
  15. Information: Low
    Information
  16. Mining: Low
    Mining
  17. Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services: Low
    Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
  18. Construction: Low
    Construction
  19. Real Estate Rental & Leasing: Low
    Real Estate Rental & Leasing
  20. Wholesale Trade: Low
    Wholesale Trade

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  2. Identify True Risk.
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